Castlefreke - Rathbarry - Kilkeran Loop
Walking Trail · Cork
Castlefreke - Rathbarry - Kilkeran Loop is a 7.8 km moderate waymarked loop in Cork, starting near Rathbarry.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Moderate | Moderate | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Getting there
Starts at Long Strand Carpark, near Rathbarry.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 51.56082, -8.976
- Irish Grid reference
- W 324 347
- Ordnance Survey sheets
- Discovery Series Sheet 89
The National Trails Register's own latitude and longitude fields are empty for all 1,186 trails on it. This trailhead comes from Sport Ireland's separate Trailheads dataset, matched to this trail on its register ID.
About the trail
This moderate loop is a lovely, off-road, varied walk along forest tracks and gravelled footpaths around the old demesne of Castlefreke. Enjoy mixed woodland, a reed-fringed lakeshore, views of castles and lodges, ruined churches and Ireland’s tallest high cross, as well as magnificent views of Long Strand with its extensive dunes, Galley Head with its lighthouse, and the distant Stags. The short climb to the high cross is well worth the effort to see the intricately-carved, early twentieth-century monument and the spectacular views of the Atlantic and the surrounding countryside. On your descent to the car park look out for Lough Rahavarrig, a coastal lagoon, which once had a navigable channel from Rathbarry Castle to Long Strand. Nature has since reclaimed it and is an area of high conservation value.
- Waymarking
- Red
- Dogs
- Yes
Who manages it
Castlefreke Our Woods Our Walks
Castlefreke Our Woods Our Walks: [email protected]
Conditions and closures change. The operator is the authority on both, not this page.
Trails nearby
Measured trailhead to trailhead, in a straight line.
- Castlefreke - High Cross Loop 827 m away · 1.6 km trail
- Castlefreke - Castle Cross Loop 1.2 km away · 1.5 km trail
- Castlefreke - Rathbarry Old Churches Loop 1.2 km away · 1 km trail
- Castlefreke - River Trail 1.8 km away · 0.4 km trail
- Carrigfadda - Carrigfadda Hill Walk 10 km away · 2.4 km trail
- Union Hall Walks - Lake Walk 11 km away · 7.6 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Castlefreke - Rathbarry - Kilkeran Loop?
7.8 km, recorded as a loop on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. It climbs 160 m in total. Sport Ireland estimates 2 hours 30 minutes.
How hard is the Castlefreke - Rathbarry - Kilkeran Loop?
Sport Ireland grades it Moderate. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Castlefreke - Rathbarry - Kilkeran Loop start?
Starts at Long Strand Carpark, near Rathbarry. The trailhead is at 51.56082, -8.976 (Irish Grid W 324 347).
Can you bring a dog on the Castlefreke - Rathbarry - Kilkeran Loop?
Yes. The register records dogs as allowed. Much of the Irish trail network crosses working farmland, so keep a dog under close control near livestock.
Who manages the Castlefreke - Rathbarry - Kilkeran Loop?
Castlefreke Our Woods Our Walks. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Cork
Trail data from the Sport Ireland National Trails Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Trailhead coordinates from the companion Trailheads dataset. Snapshot taken 2026-08-13.